Five and a Half Things You Can Do at Put-in-Bay Without Getting Eaten #SharkWeek

Five and a Half Things You Can Do at Put-in-Bay Without Getting Eaten #SharkWeek

If we had it our way Shark Week would be a little more freshwater friendly. Maybe something like Walleye Week or Perch Week. Unfortunately we don’t have enough pull with the brass over at Discovery Channel to change the theme of this wildly popular yearly celebration, so I guess we’ll just have to live with it and have fun regardless. The best way to do this? Head over to Put-in-Bay, throw caution to the wind and take part in a few activities without worrying about that tiny little detail of being ingested by a large, predatory, carnivorous creature.

1. Turn the Tables – Lucky for us Great Lakes folks, nature has provided us with some of the tastiest fish on the planet – Perch. And lucky for us yet again, Put-in-Bay has a few places that serve up this mouth-watering meal. Replete with a view of Put-in-Harbor and Gibraltar Island’s signature limestone cliffs, the Boardwalk gives patrons the option of a perch sandwich or going sans bun with a perch basket while The Goat Soup and Whiskey goes with a less-than-traditional take on the popular white fish. Home of the Original Perch Taco; it’s served up lightly breaded, fried to perfection, wrapped in a soft tortilla with cabbage, tomato, green onion, and cheese and finished off with their famous Pali Wali sauce.

1.5 Sushi Anyone? – Through some unknown set of circumstances you or someone you love isn’t a fan of Perch and that’s perfectly okay because there’s an option for them as well. Nagoya, the island’s only sushi restaurant sits “perched” above The Keys. Combine the wonderfully prepared rolls with a gorgeous view of Lake Erie and you just might lose yourself in the moment.

2. Swim in the Fish Bowl – Aptly named and well known for their aquatic themed cocktails, the Fish Bowl is perfect for relishing in the Shark Week phenomena. With their TV’s constantly set to the Discovery Channel, even the biggest fans of Shark Week can get their fix while enjoying a refreshing beverage.

3. Be on the Lookout – While it’s true that Bull sharks have a unique ability to live in freshwater temporarily and have been found as far as 2,500 miles inland, we’re comforted by the fact that they’ve never been spotted in any one of the Great Lakes. But just in case you’re still not convinced, going on a reconnaissance mission to the top of Perry’s Monument will give you a bird’s eye view of the freshwater surroundings. Just remember, the Lake Erie Monster is not considered a shark and Carp can be very large.

4. Jam Out at Topsy Turveys – Every Monday night the quaint waterfront tavern invites local musicians to get up on stage and show off their chops. About as mellow as mellow can get, it’s the perfect time to relax and truly make sure you’re on island time. If you’re hungry, try an amazing Rueben Roll. We’re serious, they’re amazing.

5. Learn From Butterflies – Beautiful and majestic, the 50 different types of exotic butterflies that live within the 4,000 square foot Butterfly House give visitors the opportunity to learn from these unique creatures, all while relaxing to the sounds of soothing music. The knowledgable staff will give a 15-minute educational presentation and answer any and all questions that are butterfly related. And if you still have reserves in the energy tank, check out stalactites and a rare underground lake at Perry’s Cave, test your mini-golf skills at the War of 18 Holes or stroll across the street to the Crystal Cave at Heineman’s Winery to check out the world’s largest geode.